Akili
Akili (born August 25, 2005 in Colorado Springs, Colorado) is a female African lion residing at the Birmingham Zoo who went on display in August 2007. She joined Kwanzaa, a male who went on display at the zoo's Predator Building on February 15, 2006. Birmingham's lions are part of a nationally accredited species survival plan.
On May 25, 2011, Akili gave birth to five lion cubs fathered by Kwanzaa: Asha, Baron, Kimba, Lily, and Vulcan.
Akili and Kwanzaa took over an exhibit which formerly housed the Malayan tiger Kumar. In September 2021 both lions displayed loss of appetite and sneezing symptoms. Fecal testing confirmed they had been infected by SARS-CoV-2. By the time the results were returned, their symptoms had improved.
Kwanzaa died that November from complications of lymphoma. Akili was joined by a 6-year old male, Josh, in June 2022.
References
- Thornton, William. (August 22, 2011). "Birmingham Zoo's royal pride: Feisty young lions to meet Labor Day visitors." The Birmingham News
- "Birmingham Zoo's African lions test positive for COVID after showing symptoms." (October 1, 2021) WVTM13.com